First off there is 4 different series and 3 different salemans samples for the Pradco Pro Autograph Series issue lures (1994 to 1997).This does not include the normal issue lures with the Pro Autograph Series stickers on the bubble/package.The series include the 1995 TV series,1996 Autograph II series,1997 series,and finally the no anglers picture on the cards I will call the Pro Autograph Series also from 1997.The highly rare box sets (salemans samples) are the TV,Autograph II,and the 1997 series.These are a very rare find and feature several different lures and a catalog/lure cards of that series packaged in a attractive case.The salemans sample lures had a much deeper color to them and had several clear cotes applied to them.They were issued to dealers from Pradco reps to help launch them into stores.The way to tell what series the lure is from is to look at the upper left corner of the lure card (1997 is blank).The anglers and lures included in all 4 series are Jimmy Houston (Super Spot and Zara Spook),Zell Rowland (Zara Spook,Pop-R,and Zara Puppy),Kevin VanDam (Long-A and Rouge),Jim Bitter (Long-A and Rouge),Larry Nixon (Model-A),Bill Dance (Fat-A),Bob Izumi (Wally Diver,Rouge,and Redfin),Mike McClelland (Wally Bomber 8-A and Wally diver),Denny Brauer (Torpedo),Angelo Viola (Long-A and Spoonbill),Reno Viola (Redfin and Fastrac)Mark Davis (Deep Flat-A),and Mark Sosin (Mullet,Long-A,and Jumpin Minnow).<p>

Many of these lures had special colors that the named pro angler chose and nearly all patterns did not survive after they discontinued them.The only patterns that survived the series and are available today are Rayburn Red,Flash Bass and Shad,Coachdog,and my favorite Pearl Shad.Several of the lures came in different sizes/colors depending on the series issued.The Zara Spook changed from the 3 hook design back to the normal 2 hook model but with Jimmy Houston endorsement instead.Many of these have been removed from their original packages to be fished with making the NIP lures a very difficult find and some being highly rare NIP.The rarest ones in my opinion are the Mike McClelland Auto II Wally Bomber in Sandusky Perch,Zell Rowland Zara Puppy Auto II in Green Perch/1997 series Pop-R's, and the Angelo Viola Long-A in Jumbo Perch.I have seen 2 or less in 3 years on Ebay on the aboved mentioned lures.The most popular ones include the Zell Rowland Zara Spooks,KVD Long-A's along with Jim Bitter Long-A's.I have seen several of the above mentioned lures auction for $50.<p>

I don't have a exact number of how many lures there is in all 4 series since not all of the lures are in the catalogs.The Autograph II catalog shows KVD lures as Long-A's in Blue and Yellow Flash but they were not issued instead a suspending RB1200 Rouge in Blue Darter and Gold were issued.The catalog also lists all of the Mark Sosin lures but none of them have the Auto II logo on the cards.The Zell Rowland Zara Puppies colors changed before production started and the old patterns were used in the advertisements/catalog.There is also a rare error Denny Brauer Torpedo card that has a Zell Rowland Zara Puppy in color code ZSS attached to the card in the correct Zara Puppy blister with the SKU sticker stating it is a Torpedo.I think someone loaded the wrong cards on that one...oops!The TV series catalog only shows the Zell Rowland Pop-R's in Flash Bass and Flash Shad but I have a couple with the TV logo in other colors.The TV series catalog also does not show Bob Izumi Ripplin Redfins/Wally Divers or Mike McClelland Wally Divers.There is also a special Trop Artic issued Jimmy Houston Super Spot that was only available when you bought a case of oil (C25266).The 4th series(Pro Autograph)I can not really figure out were these came from but several lures where issued on cards that said Pro Autograph Series along the top of the card without the anglers picture.A few of them had a sticker attached that had the anglers name on it with those horrible square blisters holding the lure.I have noticed most of these lures were the part of the fallout of the ceo's of Kmart and Pradco/Ebsco.They were shipped back to Pradco and the updated sku tag reads fw144.I have heard they were sold in a 144 lure case to whoever wanted them but that is a rumor but probally true.<p>

I have collected 116 of these type of lures NIP and I am only missing a few from what is in the 3 catalogs.These lures are great hobby to collect and a challenge to complete not to mention alot of these color patterns were never used again by Pradco.My favorites being the Mark Davis Deep Flat-A in Pearl Shad,Larry Nixon Model 7-A in Glow Craw,and the Jimmy Houston 1/2oz Super Spot in Summer Sunfish.The secret to these patterns are not to many colors just one that will work in clear water and one in dingy water for the most part.The pro's catch the bulk of there fish on a handfull of colors on all types of water even though they carry a ton of baits.Alot of tournaments have been won on these lures in the past and I have several buyers inform me of them winning on them now.They have a spot in my tackle trays for a long to come in the future!